(Photo: J. Maus/BikePortland)
The local edition of the World Naked Bike Ride, Portland’s annual clothing-optional gathering that celebrates human-powered transport and the vulnerability of people who do it, will start from Laurelhurst Park. The 16th edition of the ride happens on June 29th at 8:00 pm.
Volunteer behind the event have been working hard to make sure everything goes off without a hitch. They’ve also booked the March Fourth Marching Band to help boost spirits and get everyone in the mood (while you listen to the band, consider a stop at the temporary tattoo station).
Here are a few other you should know about this year’s ride:
— Join the team. Despite its size (both in number of riders and cultural influence), WNBR is run by just a few dedicated people. And they need your help! If you’d like to volunteer as a tip-taker, ride marshal/medic/mechanic, or a greeter at the end to help people find after parties and answer questions, sign up for shift here.
— Don’t drive to the start. The Laurelhurst neighborhood cannot handle a massive influx of automobiles. And besides, the ride is a protest against oil dependency.
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— Bring cash. You’ll want bills to buy official WNBR souvenirs and to donate to the wonderfully scrappy crew that puts it together. One of the lead organizers told me, “If everyone donated $1, we’d be able to pay for the next year’s ride.”
— Don’t litter. The park and end location must be left spotless. Please don’t be that person who leaves a mess.
— If you see something, say something. If someone makes you uncomfortable during the event, report it to a ride volunteer.
— For the latest updates and to RSVP, follow the WNBR Facebook page (more RSVPs will help boost the post on Facebook).
This event is a treasure. We are grateful for the people who work behind the scenes to make it so magical!
Have you done it? Do you plan on it? For those readers who haven’t yet, what do you think is the best thing about WNBR? (Feel free to ask questions in the comments, myself and others will be happy to answer them.)
— Jonathan Maus: (503) 706-8804, @jonathan_maus on Twitter and jonathan@bikeportland.org
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Thank you, Jonathan! The neighbors have been incredibly supportive. We are very lucky to have this gem of a park as our kickoff location.
Wow, this greatly (and pleasantly) surprises me given the issues at Pier Park last year. Here’s to everything going smoothly.
What were the issues Cathedral Park last year? Other than not being able to actually get in the park due to the crowd size?…
We’re curious to hear, too! 🙂
Whoops, I meant Cathedral Park. There were numerous complaints on the St Johns Facebook page about the number of people driving, littering, and public “elimination”.
I love this location! Glad see it will be relatively closer to me than its has been in the last few years. Trimet, and their stupid tricycle rules will not keep me away!
I wish as many folks who want to let it all hang out, actually showed up to advocate for bikes where it really matters. Where folks where all their clothes.
Me too, Mark.
Maybe organize a naked ride to the advocacy event?
Good luck to all and have fun!
Perhaps WNBR will be a ‘poster child’ of marketing Vision Zero some day?! (Like how White Unicorns have taken over Pride Parades?)
My parents are in town this weekend, and this will be a highlight of their trip. I mean, they’ve seen me naked before, and naked on a tricycle, but never on a bicycle!
I went to the volunteer session last night. We are in need of at least 120 more volunteers to do things like set up, break down, clean up, marshal riders, sell merchandise/fund raise, body paint, repair bikes, render first aid, staff the information booth. Of the 200 volunteers needed, only about two occupy positions where they can’t do the ride. Please consider volunteering here https://pdxwnbr.org/volunteer/. Most volunteer jobs don’t require significantly more effort than actually getting to Laurelhurst Park and having fun.
This is a protest on oil dependence. The motto is “as bare as you dare” – if you don’t dare much, that is perfectly okay.
I would very much like to go faster than 2 mph this year. Last year we had a police car leading the ride that was barely moving. Did we talk to them about that? Nice to have their support, but if that happens again, I might just skip ahead and ride naked by myself.
A motor vehicle let the ride protesting against oil? Seriously?
I’d just assume they were an obstacle and ride around them. That’s assuming you know where the ride is going.
I believe the reason I missed last year was partially due to heat, partially due to not wanting to ride the 8 1/2 or 9 miles to the start, because I’m not allowed on transit with my trike, and I didn’t want to get stranded at the end the end point because I was exhausted and am not allowed on transit with my trike.
This is my first year so asking silly question. I am coming from out of town (Lacey, WA) and staying at a hotel. I see there are several close to the park. Is this a circular route ending where it begins at the park, or could I end up 6 miles across town no where near my hotel?
That’s not a silly question. These things matter. Especially when you aren’t really familiar with the area.